Wednesday 6 May 2015

The Four Elements in Astrology

What are the four elements in (Western) astrology?:
What are the Elements?:
The four elements -- earth, air, water and fire -- are the very elements (or energies) of life. Since long before written history, there's been an understanding of the elemental balance needed to sustain life. Many indigenous traditions honor the sacred circle, formed by the four elements, and seen in the Zodiacal wheel.

Elements and Astrology:
In your own birth chart, the mix of elements shows you what you're working with in this life. Your cosmic blueprint may be heavy on the fire, but lack earth to ground you. Each element behaves differently, and is one of three qualities -- how these mix in your chart, taking into account the planet and house placement, shines more light on your nature and life lessons.
Who began to group the signs by Elements?:
In recorded history, Ptolemy is credited with making the association between the four elements and the signs of astrology in the 2nd Century AD. Using longstanding theories of the four elements, he assigned three signs to each element. The Greek philosophers found the four elements in all of life, and their Zodiacal wheel of cosmic energies reflected that balance.
What do the signs of a certain Element have in common?:
The signs in a grouping share certain associations:
  • Fire signs: the spirit, inspired, energy, instinctual, outgoing, active
  • Air signs: the mind, intellectual, ideas, detached, social, conceptual 
  • Water signs:the emotions, imaginative, nurturing, introverted
  • Earth Signs: the body, practical, sensual, grounded


The Fire Element

 

What are the Fire signs in Astrology?:

Why are they called Fire signs?:
The signs of the Zodiac are grouped in four triplicities based on their element. The other triplicities are water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces), air signs (Libra, Aquarius, Gemini) and earth signs (Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo).
What are the characteristics of the Fire signs?:
My favorite phrase for fire signs is Spirit in Motion.*
Those with planets in fire signs have a simmering at-the-ready stance, as they hunt for things that light them up. They're prone to sudden illuminating flashes of insight and bursts of enthusiasm. Like fire itself, they can flare up when inspired, making them seem very passionate about life. They like to live large, and often feel frustrated by mundane chores and duties.
Fire signs are known to be intuitive, and to rely on gut-level instincts. Going on faith in their inner guidance gets them far, but they have a tendency to skip crucial steps, or to be unaware of the emotional impact of their actions.

How are the three Fire signs different?:
Along with the triplicities, there is another grouping in astrology, known as the qualities. These are Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable -- each element has a sign with one of the qualities. Among the fire signs, Aries is cardinal, Leo is fixed and Sagittarius is mutable.
Fire and Water:
Fire's greatest gift is being able to inspire, and this appeals to Water's desire for meaning.
A generous Fire person shows Water how to be in the moment, even if they're carrying lots of psychological baggage. Water takes Fire on an emotional journey that helps them see how they're related to others. At its worst and most out of balance, Fire can zap Water by being totally overwhelming and Water smothers Fire when it offers only insular, claustrophobic intimacy.
Fire and Earth:
Sometimes Fire has lots of visionary ideas that Earth can help put into tangible form. This can make pragmatic Earth feel needed and appreciated, not to mention that Fire's enthusiasm is contagious. If Earth becomes too slow and plodding for Fire, this match could get snagged in frustration. Through Earth's eyes, Fire may seem unrealistic and unwilling to do the legwork to make things happen.
Fire and Air:
When Fire and Air get together, there can be a lot of inspired thinking. Fire helps Air find focus when scattered, and adds optimism to any plans hatched. Air can articulate the big picture for the impulse-driven Fire, while the latter keeps things from being all talk and no action. These two keep eachother in stitches, open the doors of perception and find new ways to astonish the other.
Fire and Fire:
When Fire meets Fire, life can be an exuberant adventure. It's a vital match where there is mutual inspiration and encouragment. The challenge comes when fiery temperaments turn into struggles for dominance. If there is only drama, without an emotional foundation, this match can burn itself out.
Keywords:
spontaneous, inspired, enthusiastic, outgoing, passionate, self-centered, visionary, dramatic, instinctual
The Fire Element in Astrology:

When the fire element is present, there's a warm radiance, a trust in life's journey and a willingness to take risks. Any party or celebration is made better with the presence of a fully-charged up fire sign. They're great catalysts for play, and liable to unearth the spontaneous side of those around them. Because they sense a golden thread of destiny and potential running through their own lives, they have a knack for leading others to theirs.
Fire signs act on instinct or "sixth sense," and that makes them look reckless to more cautious types. They're actually following a powerful intuition that keeps them at the leading edge of fresh experiences.
Fire is infused with the divine spark, and this can spread like wildfire to everyone around them. They've got a lust for life that is enviable. Those that are weighted down might try to toss a wet blanket on their enthusiasm, so Fire must vigilantly guard its beacon. It's important for them to have cheerleaders to fan the flames of their interests.
But Fire that thinks only of itself learns the wisdom of the other elements the hard way. They'll keep coming up against resistance, until there is willingness to see there are no short cuts. Each of the other elements has something to offer, and in return, Fire gives off a glow that is as nourishing as the rays of the Sun.


The Air Element

What are the Air signs in Astrology?:

Why are they called Air signs?:
There are four triplicities in astrology, which is a grouping based on the elements. The other triplicities are water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces), fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) and earth signs (Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo).
What are the characterstics of the Air signs?:

Those with planets in air signs use their minds to make sense of their lives.
With Air, there's more space between the life lived and the observing mind. This can lead air signs to appear detached, aloof, remote, cool. Sometimes they'll try to talk their way through feelings or analyze a situation instead of encountering its full emotional weight.
The gift of Air is flexibility, and their ability to experience life through many prisms. They're often excellent communicators, storytellers, interpreters and journalists. They link people together socially, and often have a curiosity that keeps them out and about.

How are the three Air signs different?:
The signs of the Zodiac are grouped by elements in their triplicity, but they are also grouped by something known as their quality. Each type of quality has a unique path of expression. For the Air signs, Libra is cardinal, the leader, Aquarius is fixed, able to doggedly follow one train of thought and Gemini is mutable and as mercurial as the planet that rules it.
Air and Earth:
It can be a relief for the weighted down Earth to be lifted up by Air's ideas and free-thinking.
Air may offer a different spin on how to prioritize things, which can be liberating for duty-bound Earth. Earth helps the remote Air discover the mind-body connection. Earth can also advise Air so that some of their dreams can be made real.
Air and Fire:
This is a dynamic combo, with Air being able to create an outline of meaning through thought for the Fire to be inspired by. Air helps Fire take a more logical path toward success, some direction for their leaps of faith. Fire gives Air a sense of mission, purpose, and shines a light of focus through the jumble of collected data, thoughts, information.
Air and Water:
These two benefit from each other by bringing balance to feeling and thought. Water shows Air a path to the feelings, and can help them grow toward being more nurturing, emotional expressive, etc. Water helps Air make the heart connection. Air lifts Water out of the murky swamp into the realm of thought. Like talk-therapy, Air encourages Water to find distance, to become intellectually curious about their experiences.
Air and Air:
Here is a meeting of the minds, and when balanced by other elements, it can mean a lifetime of shared interests. The way of connecting is through the exchange of ideas. The deeper emotional truth of the situation at hand can be discussed coolly. This bond thrives when there is also emotional authenticity, action and physical touch.
Keywords:
analytical, curious, thinking, intellectual, social, detached

The Air Element in Astrology:

Those with planets in Air signs lead with the head, and those wheels are always turning to analyze and interpret their world. These are the "idea people," who breeze in and offer a fresh perspective on the situation at hand. As observers, they're often seeing from a loftier position, and able to offer clarity that others don't have.
The air signs are social creatures, since their currency is ideas, and they'll find more stimulation when out mingling. Some are drawn to words and become professional communicators, while others -- especially Aquarius -- have a more conceptual way of thinking. Air signs are masters at navigating through the collective waters, and therefore are astute commentators of the cultural trends, attitudes, consciousness of the times.
When Air is out of balance, you can encounter a talking head, someone cut off from his own physical self. Air signs are more vulnerable to the excesses of our mind-body split, and could benefit from yoga and other somatic practices. A meditation practice helps Air signs calm the static.
In relationships, the distance of Air to their emotions can be refreshing. They're great conversationalists because they're the keepers of so much knowledge, gossip, strange factoids, etc. Talking with an inspired Air sign can be like skipping through a kind of virtual reality full of detail, specificity and local color.

Cultivate the Air Element

The Power of Clear-Seeing

The Zodiac signs of the air element are Libra, Aquarius and Gemini. The air element is expressed through thoughts, currents and the nervous system. It's associated with synapses firing in the brain, and Oxygen flowing into the lungs and blood stream. This element is about the breath, and seeking inspiration, a word that means "breathing in." It's home territory is the vast mental field, where "thoughts are things" that creates the tangible outline of our lives.

Air is one of the four elements -- the others are fire, water and earth -- and each one is important for your sense of well-being. Air lifts us up to seeing with new eyes. When air is in balance, your mind is free and flexible. You mentally travel and explore, allowing new ideas to widen your horizon. It's exhilarating to breakthrough old ways of thinking, because that sets real external change in motion. Air brings emotional detachment, and that helps you make good decisions. When the air is moving, it makes for lively sociability, and keeps you curious and always learning.
When there's too much air, it's hard to feel grounded and in your body. You can be lost with your head in the clouds. You find it hard to tie down your free-floating ideas to tangible, daily effort. Your busy mind keeps you awake with insomnia. You are high-strung with erratic breathing (possibly a smoker). You dissipate your energy by talking, texting, emailing, etc. You feel like you can't organize your thoughts. There's too much static and not enough space...room to breathe.
When there's too little air, it's hard to see yourself with any objectivity. You're apathetic, bored. You don't see a point to what you're doing.
Ways to ground Air:
  • Don't skip a meal and take time to eat slowly.
  • Cut back on caffeine and other stimulants.
  • Take a break from the information deluge.
  • Turn off your cell phone for awhile.
  • Give yourself time to wind down before bedtime.
  • Steer clear of anxiety-inducing images and news.
  • Find healthy ways to burn off nervous energy.
Ways to Bring Air Balance into Your Life:
  • Spend some time watching clouds.
  • Plant flowers or visit a butterfly garden.
  • Fly a kite.
  • Spend some time bird watching, draw them to your home.
  • Sage your space.
  • Open the windows on fresh air days.
  • Seek out a high perch with a view to the horizon.
  • Breathing meditation (following the breath)
  • Make a wish and blow out a candle.
  • Work out, bringing Oxygen to the cells
  • take a beginner's course in something that fascinates you.
  • Keep a journal as a tangible record of your thoughts.
  • Bring wind chimes into your garden or home.
Other ideas:
  • Try Tai Chi or Qigong, two flowy meditative martial art practices.
  • Experiment with aromatherapy.
  • Experience wind surfing or hang gliding.
  • Parachute out of an airplane.
  • Making sure you get plenty of time with no set agenda. 

The Water Element

What are the Water signs in Astrology?:

Why are they called Water signs?:
There are four triplicities in Astrology that are grouped by their element. The other triplicities are earth signs (Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo), fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) and air signs (Libra, Aquarius, Gemini).
What are the characteristics of the Water signs?:

Water signs are attuned to waves of emotion, and often seem to have a built-in sonar for reading a mood.



This gives them a special sensitivity in relationships, knowing when to show warmth and when to hold back. At their best, they are a healing force that brings people together -- at their worst, they are psychic vampires, able to manipulate and drain the life force of those closest to them.
Water signs are tuned into the many shades of meaning in relationships, and at times can absorb "vibes" from others. They have to work harder than other elements to maintain their personal boundaries.

How are the three Water signs different?:
Within their triplicity, the water signs each belong to another group known in astrology as qualities. For the water signs, Cancer is a Cardinal sign, Scorpio is a Fixed sign, and Pisces is a Mutable sign. In basic terms, Cancer leads and initiates, Scorpio goes deep with a fixed focus and Pisces is changeable, hard to pin down.
Water and Earth:
Water signs can soften Earth and take them into the deeper emotional layers of intimacy. This brings touchy and feely together for a satisfying physical relationship in romance.

Earth can help Water with the practical challenges of life, and encourage them to bring their gifts into the real world through some tangible effort.
Water and Fire:
Water and Fire can be one steamy combination under the right circumstances. Water can add emotional nuance to Fire's instinctual responses, and help Fire learn things like tact, compassion and how to nurture. Fire can blaze a trail for Water out of the swampy abyss of inaction. Their vitality and enthusiasm lifts Water up, so they can find their way. Like with any element, there's a danger here of mutual harm if things are not in balance. Fire can dry up Water, and make them feel brittle and undernourished. Water can smother Fire, put out the flames of inspiration, which usually sends them right out the door.
Water and Air:
Water can help the Air sign make the deeper emotional connection. Water inspires Air to create a stronger personal base for what they're saying, by meaning what they say. Air signs help Water put their feelings into words, and understand the patterns at play in their lives. Air encourages the insights of Water, and can be a motivating force for creative expression.
Water and Water:
Here is a pair that can dive together into the deep end, for better and worse. They'll understand the need of the other for "me" time to process all they've experienced. But two Water signs can easily merge and lose their sense of boundaries. This might not always be a bad thing, but at times it might feel like two people at the mercy of the emotional highs and lows of life. With balancing elements, this can be an incredibly close bond, to the point of being telepathic.
Keywords:
intuitive, emotional, imaginative, nurturing, secretive, dreamy
The Water Element in Astrology:
Those with planets in Water signs are often assessing a situation by its undercurrents. It can give them an air of being aloof or even shy at first, but they're the warmest of souls when you've won their trust.  Water signs are very self-protective, because they're emotionally sensitive.
Going forward in a relationship or situation often means being sure of their emotional ground, a kind of decision-making process that is baffling to others. Their perceptions border on psychic, but these insights get clouded by the intensity of feelings, or are altered by the vivid imagination.
The nuances of feeling experienced by Water signs can lead them into the arts. Some find release from their own personal dramas when they're able to express them as universal. As writers, musicians and actors, they help others make sense of the human experience. But this also happens in everyday life, since Water signs soften the edges of the mundane by padding it with emotional meaning.
Water is a formless element on its own, and that's why those with this sign are so quickly shaped by their relationships to others. They need time alone to remember where they end and others begin. And to let what's been stirred up by life find its way to a quiet calm again. These are people who need people, but also need the restoring space of solitude.

Cultivate the Water Element

The Power of Fluidity

The Zodiac signs of the water element are Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. But all of us have a relationship via intuition, emotion, the heart, intimacy, nurturance, compassion and so on. Too much water and we're waterlogged unable to see with any detachment and heavy with emo baggage. Too little water and we're dry, brittle, deserty, harsh with ourselves and others, despairing of finding consolation.
We need a balance of all the elements to live with a feeling of wholeness.

 





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